One of the best ever? Guardiola would know!

When it comes to great midfielders, few men understand the role like Pep Guardiola. Not only was he one of Spains greatest midfielders but he has gone on to coach such greats as Iniesta & Xavi.

So when the Manchester City coach described Xabi Alonso as one of the best of all-time yesterday few would disagree. Having brought Alonso to Bayern Munich during his time with the German club the coach had only good things to say about his country man, who announced his retirement this week.

Speaking ahead of his Q-final game vs Premier League rivals Middlesbrough on Saturday, the Spanish coach said "We were rivals, big rivals when he was at Real Madrid, after that I was so lucky to have him in Munich. How the people speak about him - all the managers that he had in his career - is like a human being. One of the best midfielders I've ever seen in my life."

Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad in 2004 and quickly became a fan favourite, helping the club lift the FA Cup in 2006 and famously the Champions League in 2005. He went on to play in Spain for Real Madrid before joining Bayern in 2014.